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Review
. 2013 Jun;18(6):298-300.

Does reducing light exposure decrease the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity in premature infants?

Christine Johannes  1 , Kimberly Dow  1
Affiliations
Review

Does reducing light exposure decrease the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity in premature infants?

Christine Johannes et al. Paediatr Child Health. 2013 Jun.

Abstract
in English, French

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) can result in significant morbidity in preterm infants. Light exposure has been suggested to be a contributing factor.

Objective: A systematic review was performed to determine whether reducing light exposure in the neonatal intensive care unit decreased the incidence of ROP in preterm infants.

Methods: The literature was reviewed using the methodology for systematic reviews recommended by the Consensus on Resuscitation Science, adapted from the American Heart Association's International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation.

Results: Seven articles were reviewed. Six of the articles were neutral to the clinical question and one supported the clinical question. However, the latter study used retrospective controls and was conducted during the evolution of the classification system for ROP. There were no studies that opposed the clinical question.

Conclusion: Decreasing ambient light exposure in neonatal intensive care units is not of benefit in reducing the incidence of ROP.

Historique: La rétinopathie des prématurés (RdP) peut susciter une morbidité importante chez les nourrissons prématurés. Il est postulé que l’exposition à la lumière contribue au phénomène.

Objectif: Les chercheurs ont procédé à une analyse systématique pour déterminer si le fait de réduire l’exposition à la lumière à l’unité de soins intensifs néonatals diminue l’incidence de RdP chez les nourrissons prématurés.

Méthodologie: Les chercheurs ont analysé les publications au moyen de la méthodologie d’analyse systématique recommandée par le Consensus on Resuscitation Science, adaptée du comité de liaison international sur la réanimation de l’American Heart Association.

Résultats: Les chercheurs ont analysé sept articles, dont six étaient neutres envers cette question clinique et un l’appuyait. Cependant, la dernière étude faisait appel à des sujets témoins rétrospectifs et a été menée pendant le remaniement du système de classification de la RdP. Aucune étude ne s’opposait à la question clinique.

Conclusion: Le fait de réduire la lumière ambiante à l’unité de soins intensifs néonatals ne contribue pas à réduire l’incidence de RdP.

Keywords: Light; Premature infant; Preterm infant; Retinopathy of prematurity.

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References

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